16th Century
Ca. 1500:
The Vicar of the St. Sebalds church, Georg Hartmann, invents the cali-ber system based on the relation of the
diameter of the bore to the weight of the ball.
Ca. 1500:
Oldest still preserved hand cannon with spark producing ignition mechanism. It is known by the name of ‘Monks
Gun’ and is displayed at the ‘Rüstkammer’ in Dresden.
Ca. 1500:
First appearance of rifled barrels.
Ca. 1500:
Introduction of the tube sight.
Ca. 1515:
First use of the wheel lock, presumably in Nürnberg.
Ca. 1520:
Introduction of the pin shaped trigger.
Ca. 1520:
Use of bandoliers by musketeers, with powder portions, ball bag and priming powder flask.